I did a few searches for Spanish newspapers, and all I can tell you is that they're giving us a lot of credit. The talk of the town back in Spain and I would say worldwide right now is Altidore. You guys can search for more Spanish newspapers, oh yeah and get a translator if you don't know a word of Spanish. ADN http://www.adn.es/deportes/20090624/NWS-1161-semifinal-espana-eeuu-copa-confederaciones.html Marca http://www.marca.com
I would think Rico Clark might have gotten a contract in Spain today. Not from a huge club, mind you, but one of the mid-tier teams had to notice how he did against the elite of Spanish football and thought "I bet he could help us."
The ADN summary is pretty useless. Here are excerpts from La Marca: .... the midfield compasses were damaged from the start due to the pressure from the Americans, who fought each ball as if they were playing American Football (edit: Suck it).... Villa and Torres ran into Onyewo and Demerit, the centerbacks who had the games of the their lives. The confidence that Spain was losing went to the U.S., which freed itself from complications and played its own game. Without much technique, they used their speed and complicated things for the Spaniards often..... After many warnings, Dempsey found Altidore, a forward who has barely mattered at Villareal and Xerez. His strength helped him beat his former teammate Capdevilla, who tried to anticipate the play and was left uncovered. Altidore shot adequately at Casillas, but it was enough for the ball to go in after touch Casillas and the post. (Edit: Did it hurt?) ... At halftime, Spain was not Spain, and the U.S. seemed like the Dream Team of defense.... Not much more
La Marca is a rag right? Like the Guardian or something? They must have hired Mexican writers, perhaps.
I hope not (being a Dynamo supporter) but I think in the back of our minds, most of us think that he'll be going on to bigger and better things at some point. He did play very well today.
If the Guardian is a rag in your mind, I'd hate to see what you call the rest of the English print media.
In the BBC story they alluded to 'club teammates' Dempsey and Bocanegra, not exactly hard hitting journalism, but probably better than 99% of American regular sports writers could do.
I'm pretty sure it was Real Betis and he broke something during his trial, which was thought to be going well. His injury scotched the deal.
So what is this tournament going to do for Jozy? I ask about Jozy because he's the one that plays in Spain.
Xerez President to Xerez coach: "So you mean we had this dude on loan for an entire half season and he couldn't get 1 minute on the pitch to see if we should buy him outright? You're Fired!"
No, it was Valladolid, in 2005: Ricardo Clark to Valladolid? Also mentioned in his bio at the Dynamo website: Trained with Spanish Second Division Club Real Valladolid in December
I understand the enthusiasm for Altidore, but in all honesty, I don't think he has the touch and patience to be a forward in La Liga yet. Perhaps if he trains with Villareal's first team more he'll begin to develop those aspects of his game. Too often in this tournament, he showed signs of Donovan's syndrome when he played with Bayern...he passed too quickly without letting the play develop first. His leadfootedness would become even more obvious if he plays with the first team, which is why I don't think he'll be starting too soon, unless they have no other option but to.
Ahead of Rossi, Nihat, Llorente, ect. Lets not get ahead of ourselves. Villarreal has said that Jozy will get minutes this season. They didn't say if it will be for Villarreal or another loan. But Pelegrini and Villarreal are very high on Jozy. Lets keep in mind that Villarreal has Europe League, Copa Del Rey, and the La Liga regular season to contend with. Rossi could be out the door on a big transfer this summer. Jozy probably won't be a starter, but I think he'll get plenty of mintes this season.